Fear over militant attack

Missionary schools in doldrums

Many educational institutions specially the missionary schools in the capital are yet to start normal function after the recent spurt in militant and terror activities in the country due to their fear over further attack.
Many parents are keeping their kids home and even those who are sending their wards to school have been found waiting outside school gates.
 The attendance of students in these schools was even lower yesterday compared to previous days. Some schools run by Christian missionaries declared a holiday yesterday and some sent their students home before schedule.
 Authorities of these educational institutions said though they have not received any terror threat, security in and around their campus has been beefed up to assure anxious guardians. They have taken various internal steps like searching the bags of students when they enter the premises. Parents are also being discouraged from entering the school premises for security reasons.
Guardians were spotted outside some missionary schools in Mohammadpur and Green Road, anxiously waiting for their children. They were talking among themselves about their fear after the recent terror attacks in the country. They said that they do not know if schools run by Christian missionaries would be targeted, but they are anxious about the safety of their children. Even the increased security has been unable to allay their fears.

“We’re worried about the security of our kids after the recent killing incidents in the country. It may be just a rumour that missionary schools will be the next target for militants, but we’re really anxious,” said Liza Rahman, a guardian.
Papri Khanam, another guardian, said: “We’re perpetually in fear. The recent killing incidents have shocked us. I’ve heard that there could be more such attacks. We want security for our children.”
Brother Montrajoy Tripura, vice-principal of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, told The Independent: “We’ve not received any threats, but the guardians are still anxious. They don’t need to be afraid. We’ve beefed up security both inside and outside the campus. Police are also monitoring the situation.”
“We’re not allowing guardians to enter the school premises. We’ve even asked them not to crowd outside for the sake of security. Our teachers and staff members are alert, and they will inform me immediately if they notice anything suspicious,” he said.
“The attendance of students in Classes III and IV was low today. Around 75 per cent students have come to school,” he added.
The armed battalion Ansar has been deployed in YWCA Higher Secondary Girls’ School, where bag-checking is being carried out and parents’ entry has been restricted.
Mohammad Iqbal, officer-in-charge of Kalabagan Police Station, told The Independent that they are providing security to the school as its authorities had asked for protection. “We’re alert and providing security to schools that have asked for it,” he said.
Anubhuti Sinha, principal of YWCA Higher Secondary Girls’ School, said: “We don’t have any information about a terror threat. We’ve beefed up security here. There is no reason to panic.”
She also said that they have declared a holiday on Thursday for the students of Classes III and IV. Students of other classes, however, have to attend school for their exams. “All other students will come on Thursday as usual. Normally, our school breaks up at 5 pm, but today it will break up at 2 pm,” she added.
“We request the parents not to panic in the present situation. We’d do our best to ensure the security of our students,” she said.
The authorities of Holy Cross School and College have also ensured increased security in the form of police patrolling at its gates.
Aga Khan School, one of the leading English medium schools for affluent people, was supposed to open on July 17 after the Eid vacation. However, the school authorities have sent text messages and e-mails to the guardians, asking them not to send their kids to school until further notice. Sources said the decision might be influenced by the recent terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan area of the capital.
There are approximately 40 Christian missionary educational institutions with thousands of students in the metropolitan area.

Fear over militant attack

Missionary schools in doldrums

Many educational institutions specially the missionary schools in the capital are yet to start normal function after the recent spurt in militant and terror activities in the country due to their fear over further attack. Many parents are keeping their kids home and even those who are sending their wards to school have been found waiting outside school gates. The attendance of students in these schools was even lower yesterday compared to previous days. Some schools run by Christian missionaries declared a holiday yesterday and some sent their students home before schedule. Authorities of these educational institutions said though they have not received any terror threat, security in and around their campus has been beefed up to assure anxious guardians. They have taken various internal steps like searching the bags of students when they enter the premises. Parents are also being discouraged from entering the school premises for security reasons. Guardians were spotted outside some missionary schools in Mohammadpur and Green Road, anxiously waiting for their children. They were talking among themselves about their fear after the recent terror attacks in the country. They said that they do not know if schools run by Christian missionaries would be targeted, but they are anxious about the safety of their children. Even the increased security has been unable to allay their fears. Were worried about the security of our kids after the recent killing incidents in the country. It may be just a rumour that missionary schools will be the next target for militants, but were really anxious, said Liza Rahman, a guardian. Papri Khanam, another guardian, said: Were perpetually in fear. The recent killing incidents have shocked us. Ive heard that there could be more such attacks. We want security for our children. Brother Montrajoy Tripura, vice-principal of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, told The Independent: Weve not received any threats, but the guardians are still anxious. They dont need to be afraid. Weve beefed up security both inside and outside the campus. Police are also monitoring the situation. Were not allowing guardians to enter the school premises. Weve even asked them not to crowd outside for the sake of security. Our teachers and staff members are alert, and they will inform me immediately if they notice anything suspicious, he said. The attendance of students in Classes III and IV was low today. Around 75 per cent students have come to school, he added. The armed battalion Ansar has been deployed in YWCA Higher Secondary Girls School, where bag-checking is being carried out and parents entry has been restricted. Mohammad Iqbal, officer-in-charge of Kalabagan Police Station, told The Independent that they are providing security to the school as its authorities had asked for protection. Were alert and providing security to schools that have asked for it, he said. Anubhuti Sinha, principal of YWCA Higher Secondary Girls School, said: We dont have any information about a terror threat. Weve beefed up security here. There is no reason to panic. She also said that they have declared a holiday on Thursday for the students of Classes III and IV. Students of other classes, however, have to attend school for their exams. All other students will come on Thursday as usual. Normally, our school breaks up at 5 pm, but today it will break up at 2 pm, she added. We request the parents not to panic in the present situation. Wed do our best to ensure the security of our students, she said. The authorities of Holy Cross School and College have also ensured increased security in the form of police patrolling at its gates. Aga Khan School, one of the leading English medium schools for affluent people, was supposed to open on July 17 after the Eid vacation. However, the school authorities have sent text messages and e-mails to the guardians, asking them not to send their kids to school until further notice. Sources said the decision might be influenced by the recent terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan area of the capital. There are approximately 40 Christian missionary educational institutions with thousands of students in the metropolitan area.